A Study on Prevalence of Anaemia among Pregnant Women Attending the Referral Centre Ulsoor in Bangalore

Abstract

BACKGROUND: WHO has estimated that prevalence of anemia in pregnant women is 14% in developed and 51% in developing countries while it is 65-75% in India. WHO has recommended a cut off value of 11.0 g/dl for hemoglobin to define anemia at any time during pregnancy This Study will help to motivate the care provide for early detection and proper management of anemia in pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study to find out the proportion of anaemic status among pregnant women attending the referral center Ulsoor in Bangalore. A total of 264 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at referral center for their first antenatal checkup during the May- July 2013 were study subjects. Hemoglobin estimation was done by using Sahli’s Hemoglobinometer method. The data was collected using a predesigned structured questionnaire after taking verbal consent. The data was analyzed statistically using descriptive statistic like frequency and percentage. RESULTS: 264 pregnant women were studied. Out of which 200 were anaemic. Out of 200 subjects, 156 subjects (59.1%) were mild anaemic, 44 subjects (16.7%)were moderately anaemic. CONCLUSION: A very high prevalence of anaemia (75.8%) was seen early in pregnancy. Factors such as religion, level of education of women and their husbands and socioeconomic status, parity, joint family were found to be significantly associated with the prevalence of anemia in pregnancy (P < 0.05).